Employment Benefits

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The following explanation of benefits applies to employees in permanent positions. Some benefits differ depending on the employee representation unit.

Vacation

Employees earn 15 working days of vacation a year. This leave may be accrued to the amount earned in two years; however, vacation leave may not be taken until an employee has completed six (6) months continuous service.

Sick Leave

Twelve working days of sick leave are earned each year, with a 90-day limit on accumulation. Accrued sick leave in excess of specified amounts may be converted to cash or vacation leave in accordance with the Personnel Rules or Collective Bargaining Agreements.

Holidays

The City of Fort Lauderdale observes ten regular holidays a year and such other days as the City Commission may designate.

  • New Year’s Day
  • Martin Luther King’s Birthday
  • President's Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Veterans Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Day Following Thanksgiving
  • Christmas Day

When a holiday falls on Saturday, the immediately preceding Friday shall be declared a holiday, and when a holiday falls on Sunday, the following Monday shall be declared a holiday for City employees.

Health Plan

Medical and hospital coverage is available to all benefit-eligible employees and their dependents. Employees enrolled in a City medical plan have access to a Health Center to utilize for preventative and acute care. Most services are free. 

Life Insurance

City-paid Basic Life with Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance at 1x annual salary rounded up to the next $1,000 of coverage.

Retirement

The City participates in the Florida Retirement System, which includes Pension Plan and Investment Plan options, with a 3% employee contribution and a City contribution based on employee classification.

Sworn Police Officers and Firefighters belong to a different defined benefit pension administered by the Fort Lauderdale Police and Firefighters’ Board of Trustees.

Salary

Employees are paid bi-weekly. All new hires will be encouraged to designate where they would like their payroll checks to be directly deposited. Employees are eligible for salary increases within their appropriate salary range based on their performance. Consideration for such merit increases is normally at intervals of one year.

Tax Deferred Benefits

Tax deferred benefits include a 457b Supplemental Retirement Account with pre-tax, Roth and Roth IRA plan options and Flexible Spending Accounts for medical care and/or dependent care.

Other Benefits

Say "Hello" to the City of Fort Lauderdale and Say "Goodbye" to Your Student Loan! Under the U.S. Department of Education's Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, the remaining balance on your student loan may be forgiven after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments while working full-time at the City of Fort Lauderdale!  CLICK HERE for more information or to see if you qualify.